After months of nominations the night has almost arrived to give special praise and recognition to the finalists of the Heart of Your Community awards 2017.

Thursday evening's awards are taking place at the Oaklands Hall Hotel in Laceby, where guests will enjoy a two course meal and of course discover who the worthy winners of each of the 12 categories are for 2017.

A special award will be presented to the overall winner too.

Over the last few weeks we have showcased every individual or community based group who have been nominated by members of the public for recognition. The judging panel was made up of the Mayor of North East Lincolnshire Councillor Ron Shepherd, the Grimsby Telegraph's digital editor Jamie Macaskill and Gill Ross (the late John Ross' widow).

Cyden Homes have generously agreed to sponsor the Community Sports category, as part of the Heart of Your Community awards for the first time.

Formerly trading as Chartdale Homes, who had been building in North East Lincolnshire since 1986, Cyden Homes was created in 2006.

Cyden Homes are sponsoring the Community Sports award

Peter Bond, sales and marketing director felt the awards were an important event. He said: “Cyden Homes are in the business of constructing brand-new communities but every new development needs the effort of volunteers and groups to integrate it into the community and these awards recognise those efforts.

“The wider public need to recognise the efforts that individuals put in to supporting the community because without them, communities don’t exist.

“Anyone who gives their own time and effort for the betterment of a community should be recognised by the wider community.”

A Cyden Homes development in New Waltham (Image: Cyden Homes)

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Cyden homes is a local family-run business based in Laceby but with developments across greater Lincolnshire. With each new development, Cyden Homes agree to a variety of substantial contributions to the local communities.

They are usually associated with; education, local transport, recreation, medical support, community facilities and affordable housing.

In addition to this, Cyden Homes try to support local community charities and projects that are in the area of and are relevant to their developments; where funds allow.

In choosing to sponsor the Community Sport award, Mr Bond continued: “Sport is about teamwork, skill enhancement, building self-confidence and encouraging health improvement. “Communities evolve on the back of such attributes.”

“Those nominated are “someone who promotes teamwork to create success and a sense of community,” he added.

Creating a community in Scartho Top (Image: Cyden Homes)

The 2017 category finalists

Business in the community

Myles Shaw - Grimsby Carpet Warehouse

Tricia Dalton

Shoreline Housing Partnership

Carer of the year

Kira Roberts

Judith Falder

Alyssa Vessey

Child of courage

Caitlyn Webb

Max Payne

Harvey Phillips

Community project of the year

Joanne Routh and the Save Grimsby Ice Rink committee

Lynne Smith - Scartho library

Becky Darnell

Community sports

Ainslie Street Boxing Club - Dave Raworth

Pilgrim Swimming Club

Callum Gladding

Emergency Services

Superintendent Ed Cook - Humberside Police

East Midlands Ambulance Service

Cheryl North and Rachel Spencer - Stagecoach

The provision of open spaces in Humberston (Image: Cyden Homes)

Friend/neighbour of the year

Audrey Snelling

Irene Dean

Madeline Haywood

Inspiring youngster

Matthew Graves

Madeleine Barnsley and Gracie

Joseph Hale

Molly Donnelly

Isobel Kellett

Public services

Jayne Irons

Lymphoedema Clinic - St Andrew's Hospice

Harbour Place

Services to charity

James Curtis Barrett

Alzheimer's Society Volunteer team (North East Lincolnshire)

Sandra Mason

Volunteer of the year

Daphne Farquharson

Elaine Atkinson

Christine Plant MBE

Young sports star

Betty Kirby

Zac Nearney

Oscar Hodson

Look out for coverage of the winners on our website www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk and in the paper on Friday and Saturday.